Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
The European Union’s commissioner for health and animal welfare will visit Cyprus this week as authorities scramble to contain the growing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease affecting farms across the island.
Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Wednesday that EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi will arrive in Cyprus on Friday to meet with farmers, veterinary officials, and other stakeholders dealing with the crisis.
The visit comes as the outbreak continues to spread. Authorities recently confirmed nine new infected livestock units, bringing the number of affected farms higher and forcing officials to cull more than 7,000 animals in an effort to stop the highly contagious disease from spreading further.
Letymbiotis said the visit was arranged following discussions between President Nikos Christodoulides and the European Union about the need for closer coordination and support. On the same day as the commissioner’s meetings, Christodoulides is also expected to hold a fresh round of talks with farmers and other affected groups.
The president has already spoken with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Letymbiotis said, adding that communication between Nicosia and Brussels remains ongoing as officials try to limit the economic and agricultural impact of the outbreak.
Foot-and-mouth disease spreads quickly among cattle, sheep and goats and can have devastating consequences for livestock farmers. Authorities in Cyprus have been racing to isolate infected units and destroy animals in affected areas to prevent the virus from spreading to more farms.
The EU commissioner’s visit is expected to focus on containment measures, support for farmers, and coordination with European veterinary services as Cyprus works to bring the outbreak under control.
